Window cornice



Y f R. w. HYDE 2,637,380

WINDOW CQRNICE Filed Jan. 1l, v1949 l 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1N VEN TOR.

,4 fro FNEYS.

May 5, 1953 R. w. HYDE 2,637,380

wINnow CORNICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

BY w JMATTQWNS;

May 5, 1953 R, w. HYDE 2,637,380

WINDOW CORNICE Filed Jan'. 11, 1949 y 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 4s 45 F42. n!

v JNVENTOR.

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Patented May 5, 1953 WINDOW CORNICE Robert `V7. Hyde, Cincinnati, Ohio, assigner' `to The Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio, a

- corporation loi :Maryland 'Application January 11, 1949, Serial No. 70,357

(Cl. 160-38l A5 VClaims.

'Th'islinventicn relates 'towindow drapes or curtains and is particularly ydirectedto an improved valance or `cornice arranffed to vbe mounted at the top ofa window frame to `suncend the drapes and 'to impart an attractive, trim appearanceto the installation.

'Window drapes or curtains `custoinarily are suspended from drapery lfixtures such as curtain 'rods fixed to the 'top of the window frame. A 'valance usually is extended across the top to enh'ancethe appearance of the draperies and to conceal from view the shade, brackets and other hardware with whichmost windows equipped V'ilrdiuiarily the yvalance consists oi a ruiied fabric 'strip draped directly upon the curtain rod as a continuation oi the drapes or it may be supported by a separate rod mounted in. front of the curtain rodand 'arranged to Ioverhang the upper portion of the drapes. In other instances, a cornice,

formed oi an a'ppropriately decorated sel-supporting panel such as plywood, maybe installed instead of the 'fabric valance. A cornice vof this construction 4is rather costly 'and diiiicult to iit `and install by the householdenand therefore is used rarely in the home.

The present cornice structure is designed primarily for installation with nbre or paper drapes, although it be used also with fabric drapes 'and curtains. These drapes are fabricated from a rather light weight drapery paper, printed in attractive patterns and colors and often creped Lor embossed to provide a cloth-like texture. They are relatively inexpensive, although in appearance they closely resemble the more costly fabric drapes. By reason oi their 'low cost they may .be discarded when soiled and replaced with new' ones.

A primary -object of the invention has lbeen to providean inexpensive cornice for use with drapes or curtains, either of cloth or paper, so that the cornice and drapes may be furnished in matching or complementary sets to be conveniently installedby the householder.

It 'is the concept of the invention lto provide a Vcornice.fabricated oi' sheet material such as `fibre or plastic, doubled upon itself with its sides ballooned outwardly to forni a semi-elliptical tube providing maximum strength and rigidity, printed or covered with a drapery material which Acarries out or blends with the drapery design Vand which provides a sturdy support from which the drapes may be suspended. Although iabricated from sheet material .such as paper or plastic Awhich is quite .ileiibla the .Sheet when doubled upon "itself naturally biilges outwardly in the 1' shape ofaiiattened-tube providing an unexpected degree *of `stiiness as contrasted with its bulk and weight.

Further objects of the invention have 'been to provide a cornice which may be fabricated .nexp'ensively 'from sheet material and lconveniently vvfitted 'and installed by the householder to eliminate the use of curtain rods for the support `of the curtains or drapes land Vto provide acornice structure which may he furnished to the householder in blank form, compactly lpack aged for convenience in storage and handling, which is co'rwenientlyasseinlzile'dl and fitted without the use of special skills or tools.

ln practice, the improved cornice or valance is constructed in the form of a blank sheet, either printed or having a decorative covering.

'if desired, the decorative coverlnsr may Abe 'applied to both sides of the blank sheet, thus .permitting the housewife 'to fold 'the blank with either pattern to the outside. in other linstances, the decorative 4pattern may be printed on both sides or one .side of the blank sheet may be printed with directions for erecting the cornice, .in which case the .decoration would .be applied .to-one side only. The unit is designed to `be packaged and soldin flat condition for `which `purpose the blank is scored transversely `and foldedovercrosswise a'nurnber of times ffor'coinpactness. In its preferred form, iheblank `sheet ismade somewlratfoversize in length so that it may he trimmed to length with a scissors .for individual litting by the housewife. Itis provided vvith longitudinal'score lines so 'that after unfolding the `pack-age, it falls readily into :its beam formation "for convenience in assembly. The 'blank further includes .an adhesive strip so that it can be'permanently sealed in folded condition. After sealing the ends are bent to provide the required length and the ends vare then trimmed to space the cornice properly from 'the window. After the cornice is installed, the 4drapes vOrfcurtains are attached at its rear sur- 'fa'ce -so that `the cornice overlies and supports the draperies and provides a decorative lvalance 'which complements `or matches the pattern oi 'the drapes. ABy virtue of its tubular cross-section, the assembled cornice is exceptionally .straight and rigid although formed from relatively "light weight finaterials.

In order to avoid trimming the blank to length. 'the cornice structure may be made telescopicby providing a central 'section and a pair of end sections `whereby the end sections establish a reasonably close fit with the center section but may be adjusted telescopically to provide the desired length instead of requiring that the unit be trimmed to the required length. It is contemplated with reference to this structure to provide a different decorative pattern for the center` section panel such as by the use of a contrasting color or pattern to enhance the decorative value of the cornice. By providing a fairly close t between the intertting sections, the strength of the telescopic cornice is sufficient for its purpose. This style of cornice is made up of blank sections, suitably scored and decorated in the manner disclosed with reference to the one piece structure. It is erected for use in the same manner and the three units making up the structure are considerably smaller and provide a more compact package than the one piece construction.

Further salient features and objects of the invention will be more fully disclosed in the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates a Window as viewed from the inside with the improved cornice installed in position to support the window drapes.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2, Figure 1, illustrating the beam section of the cornice, together with the devices for attaching the drapes to the cornice.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 3-3, Figure 1, further illustrating the cornice and its attachment to the window frame.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of an end of the cornice, further detailing the beam structure and the manner of attaching the ends of the cornice to the window frame.

Figure 5 is a view illustrating the packaged blank from which the cornice is formed, as supplied to the householder.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6 6, Figure 5, further illustrating the manner of packaging.

Figure 'l is a view of the cornice blank unfolded preparatory to over-folding to make up the tubular beam structure, illustrating the longitudinal score lines defining the width of the cornice and the transverse score lines along which the blank i is folded for packaging.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure '7, showing the rear face of the cornice after the marginal edges have been overfolded and joined.

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 9 9, Figure 8, further detailing the assembled cornice beam structure.

Figure 10 is a View similar to Figure 2, illustrating a modified arrangement which includes a panel inserted at the center, lengthwise of the cornice to control the amount of ballooning after assembly.

Figure 11 is an exploded view illustrating a telescopic form of cornice which may be adjusted over a considerable range to t the window frame without being trimmed.

Figure l2 is a View similar to Figure 11 showing the telescopic cornice unit assembled and installed upon a window opening.

Figure 13 is a face view of the cornice of Fig` ure 12 partially broken away to further illustrate its construction.

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary View detailing the application of angle brackets which may be applied to either form of the cornice for mounting the unit relative to a flush type window frame.

Referring generally to Figure l, the cornice indicated generally at l5, is shown in its app1ication to a standard window frame I6, secured by means of thumbtacks or brads Il which are driven into the ends of the frame. The cornice includes end pieces Iii-I8 which are bent at right angles to the longitudinal beam section to space the cornice the desired distance from the window frame. Although disclosed in connection with a conventional residence window frame, it will be apparent that the cornice may be installed in other types of Windows. If the window frame is iiush with the wall surface, the angle bracket 43, shown in Figure 14, may be tacked directly to the frame surface and the end pieces I8 slipped upon the brackets as shown.

The window drapes or curtains indicated at 2| in Figure l, may be of any preferred material, although the structure has been designed primarily for use with paper drapes so that the cornice may be covered with a paper material matching the drapes in color and texture. The drapes preferably are suspended from the rear surface of the cornice so that the cornice forms a decorative valance overhanging and extending across the upper portion of the drapes. In the present disclosure, the drapes are supported by means of hooks 22 which engage the upper edge of the cornice. The lower ends of the hooks engage the opposite ends of hanger bars 23, the upper edges of the drapes being secured to the bars by hemming or other means. This arrangef ment provides a dependable and secure attachment for the drapes which is invisible to the observer.

The cornice i5 is constructed from a sheet of fairly heavy paper or plastic material which is doubled over upon itself longitudinally with its edges joined together at the rear side to provide a semi-elliptical or flattened tube. The blank, as indicated at 24 in Figure '7, is approximately three times the width of the finished product and is provided with a pair of longitudinal score lines 25-25 to facilitate folding and to form the proper width. These score lines are pressed into the blank by the manufacturer and denne a central portion 26 and marginal portions 2'1 and 28.

As shown in Figure '7, the margin 28 includes an adhesive strip 3|? which extends beyond the edge to provide an adhesive flap indicated at 3l. In the use of paper blanks, the adhesive strip is coated with a lm of glue which may be made tacky by the application of moisture. If desired, however, the strip may be of the self bonding type which requires no moisture. As applied to a plastic sheet the adhesive strip is coated with a material appropriate for bonding to that speciic plastic. In assembling the cornice, the householder first folds the marginal edge 2l over upon the central panel 25. The iiap 30 then is moistened and the marginal edge 23 is folded over upon margin 2'! and the adhesive flap 3| pressed rmly upon the over-folded margin 21 to secure the two margins together. The assembled cornice naturally assumes the form illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 due to the tendency of the stock to assume its flat condition. Although the cornice is formed from relatively flexible sheet material, exceptional strength and rigidity are derived from the elliptical tube section in its assembled condition as shown in Figures 2 and 9.

In the preferred form, the blank cornice sheets are furnished in lengths somewhat in excess of a panel disposed within said beam having a width dimension less than the beam to control the ballooning of said spaced walls.

2. A cornice for attachment to a window comprising a beam formed from a flat blank of relatively thin sheet material, the sheet material being flexible and having a bending resistance adapting the blank to spring normally to a flat condition upon being bent, said blank having a pair of spaced score lines extending longitudinally thereof delineating a central panel having substantial Width extending longitudinally of the blank and a pair of integral co-extensive marginal panels along opposite sides of the central panel delineated by said score lines, said score lines being pressed into the blank and decreasing partially the bending resistance of the blank along said score lines, said marginal panels each having a width dimension which is substantially greater than one half the width dimension of the central panel, said marginal panels being folded over toward one another upon the central panel and having their outer marginal edges overlapped one upon another and joined together, said score lines by their partial bending resistance tending to spring said marginal panels and central panel outwardly with respect to one another thereby causing said central panel and marginal panels to bulge outwardly relative to one another to provide a beam having an elliptical cross section when said marginal edges are joined together.

3. A cornice for attachment to a window comprising a beam formed from a nat blank of relatively thin sheet material, the sheet material being flexible and having a bending resistance adapting the blank to spring normally to a flat condition upon being bent, said blank having a pair of spaced score lines extending longitudinally thereof delineating a central panel having subi stantial width extending longitudinally of the blank and a pair of integral co-extensive marginal panels along opposite sides of the central panel delineated by said score lines, said score lines being pressed into the blank and decreasing partially the bending resistance of the blank along said score lines, said marginal panels each having a width dimension which is substantially greater than one half the width dimension of the central panel, a covering sheet extending about the external surface of the beam, said covering sheet being formed of a pliable material which is thinner and more exible than said blank material, said covering sheet being of substantially the same configuration as the blank and having its longitudinal edges secured to the free edges of said marginal panels when the blank is in flat condition, said marginal panels being folded over toward one another upon the central panel and having their outer marginal edges overlapped one upon another and joined together, the covering sheet being stretched tautly upon the external surface of the beam by the folding of the marginal panels upon the central panel, said score lines by their partial bending resistance tending to spring said marginal panels and central panel outwardly with respect to one another thereby causing said central panel and marginal panels to bulge outwardly relative to one another to provide a beam having an elliptical cross section when said marginal edges are joined together.

4. A packaged sheet blank adapted to form a cornice for attachment to a window and adapted to support draperies with respect to the window, said sheet blank comprising; an elongated Cil flat blank formed of relatively thin sheet material, the sheet material being flexible and having a bending resistance adapting the blank normally to spring to a flat condition, said sheet blank having a pair of spaced parallel score lines extending longitudinally thereof, said score lines being pressed into the sheet blank and decreasing partially the bending resistance of the blank along said score lines, said score lines being spaced to provide an elongated central panel having substantial width and an integral pair of marginal panels along opposite side edges of the central panel, said marginal panels collectively having a width dimension which is substantially greater than the width of the central panel, the marginal panels being foldable over toward one another upon the central panel with their marginal edges overlapped one upon another and joined together to form one wall of the cornice, said sheet blank having a series of transverse score lines spaced longitudinally of its length and extending for the full width thereof, said transverse score lines adapting the sheet blank to be rolled upon itself to form a compact ilat package, said longitudinal score lines by their partial bending resistance tending to bulge said marginal panels and central panel outwardly with respect to one another when the marginal panels are overlapped upon the central panel and joined together, said outward bulging of the panels providing a beam which is elliptical in cross section having sufcient rigidity to support the drap eries, said outward bulging imparting a curvature in cross section to the central panel and to the joined marginal panels, said curvature being eiective to eliminate from the beam the effect of said transverse score lines.

5. A cornice for attachment to a window comprising a beam forme-d from a fiat blank of relatively thin iibrous sheet material, the sheet material being flexible and having a bending resistance adapting the blank to spring normally to a flat condition upon being bent, said blank having a pair of spaced score lines extending longitudinally thereof delineating a central panel having substantial width extending longitudinally of the blank and a pair of integral co-extensive marginal panels along opposite sides of the central panel delineated by said score lines, said score lines being pressed into the blank and decreasing partially the bending resistance of the blank along said score lines, said marginal panels collectively having a width dimension which is greater than the width of the central panel, said marginal panels being folded toward one another upon the central panel and having their outer marginal edges overlapped one upon another and joined together, said score lines by their partial bending resistance tending to spring said marginal panels and central panel outwardly with respect to one another and thereby causing said central panel and marginal panels to bulge outwardly relative to one another to provide a beam having an elliptical cross section when said marginal edges are joined together, the opposite end portions of said beam being bent at right angles to provide end extensions, the outer ends of which are adapted to be fastened to a window for mounting the beam in spaced relationship to the window, the bulged walls of the beam being pinched together along the juncture lines of the angular end extensions, the bending resistance of the brous sheet material providing stillness along said pinched lines joining the end extensions to the beam to maintain the beam longitudinally in xed position with respect to the window.

ROBERT W. HYDE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Hegle Sept. 3, 1872 White May 9, 1893 Ward Aug. 8, 1911 Koden Mar. 5, 1912 Kleger Oct. 24, 1916 Young Dec. 10, 1918 Naugler May 6, 1919 Cayer Jan. 31, 1922 Number 

